A World Without Din

 

Back from a month in the boondocks, I find myself asking what I’ll miss most. The answer: the absence. Absence of solicitation. Of bait and click. Of outrage and punditry. Of spin, absolutism, and certainty. Essentially, what I’ll miss is the chance to step away from all the unproductive channels of news, information, and blather that so easily consume my time.

That doesn’t mean I avoided media entirely. When my phone caught a good 5G signal, I dipped into a podcast or skimmed the headlines. But the weak coverage worked in my favor. More often, I sat on a bench facing the lake, or on the dock, or drifting in the row boat or canoe - listening. Thinking. Pondering. Imagining.

I tipped the scale in favor of my own thoughts, rather than those of the commentator, columnist, or journalist. My thoughts rarely gave much attention to politics, adversity, or struggle; instead, I focused on planning, dreaming, or designing. Or just observing natural behavior: The tiny ducklings chasing after their mother, their tiny, rapid splashes like rain pattering on the water. The pups trying to imitate their mother, learning how proper otters should disguise their location underwater. The loon's feigning injury to lure predators away from its chicks. The fish leaping at flies and exposing themselves to Mr. Eagle. Amazing what you can hear and see by just taking the time to look and listen.

The following week of sailing with family reminded me why it’s necessary to re-engage with civilization. That allows me to stay connected to the forces shaping their lives so I can do the grandpa thing and offer some perspective from experience - curmudgeonly though it may sound.

So, what are the takeaways that would allow me to experience some of the same benefits within the tempo of contemporary life in the real world?

• Drop the phone. Leave it behind more often, or turn it off for stretches of time. Resist the reflex to fill every moment.
• Set aside some time each day to linger in your own thoughts, free from outside media influences.
• Take more time to watch the behaviors of nature; human behaviors often echo them.